Life can be full of ups and downs, just like our natural hair journeys. Trust me, this is not an overstatement. While some naturalistas like to say “hair is just hair,” I’ve found the opposite to be true. Being natural has, in many ways, informed my views on life. And so for me, natural hair is more than hair, in many ways, it is a way of life. Here’s what being natural has taught me about life:
We don’t always have all the answers
When I think back to the day I did my big chop, I can hardly believe how little knowledge I had on the journey ahead. But still, I plunged into the natural hair community as I was inspired by the experiences of other women. I’m sure glad I did because the more I embraced my kinks and curls, the more motivated I was to learn more about how to nurture my strands. I found the same to be true in other areas of my life as well. Many times I have plunged into the heart of the unknown simply because I was driven by passion, but I’ve found joy in learning along the way. The journey is just as important as the end goal.
Time heals and repairs all things
Like split ends, bald spots, and evasive edges! Trust me, I started my hair with a pitiful bunch of strands. I had bald spots on the crown of my head and if you’d seen me then, you’d probably be skeptical as to why I was still hopeful about my hair, but as life tends to prove rather often, time heals and repairs all things. Girl, the locks that were once ear length are now waist length!
Consistency is fundamental
If you’ve been natural for a while, you’ve probably figured out that consistency is paramount to the growth and health of our hair. Regimen building, deep conditioning regularly, and protective styling militantly will yield results. Every 15 min. you spend moisturising your hair and every hour you spend detangling will pay off. With steadfast determination, you will see results.
The same applies to any star or celebrity around us. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Beyonce, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey – each of these women is who they are today, because they excelled in consistency. Each of these women is the best in their field, because they acquired the knowledge and skills to set them apart from the rest. Accordingly, in life, to win we have to consistently put in the hard work.
The Power of Self-Love
The natural hair life, in many ways, is an introspective journey. Hours spent standing in front of my bathroom mirror, gently working my fingers through my kinks and coils; hours spent accepting my body in a world that oftentimes questions its validity, have validated my self-worth . Loving oneself as a young woman is one of the most important journeys you could ever embark on. From self-love springs creativity, resistance, acceptance, change, and growth. Self-love is foundational. We must look deep within ourselves and lavishly forgive ourselves before we can look to heal the world around us. Self-love spills into and bears fruit in the rest of life and begins when we believe without a shadow of a doubt that we are beautiful, brilliant, worth it, and gifted.
What has being natural taught you about life? Leave us a note down below, we’d love to know!
